Choosing a lampshade is mostly about proportion, though can be suprisingly tricky! A shade that is too small makes a lamp look top-heavy and shows the bulb; one that is too large overwhelms the base. Proportion can also be affected by the colour and print of the shade. We welcome customers visiting with their lamps to try shades on, as it is often not until you try that you can see if it works or not.
Here is how we pick one, based on the lamps and shades we stock at Rhool in Kingsbridge, Devon.
Start with two measurements
Measure your lamp base before you look at shades:
- Height: from the table to the top of the bulb fitting.
- Width: across the widest part of the base.
A common rule of thumb is for the shade to be a little wider than the widest part of the base, and tall enough to hide the bulb fitting. Treat it as a starting point rather than a rule. A short, wide lamp can carry a wider shade than a tall, slim one, plus it depends on personal preference and wether you're trying to fit a lamp onto a slim shelf etc.
Drum or empire?
- Drum shades have straight sides, with the same width at the top and bottom. They look clean and modern and throw light both up and down.
- Empire shades taper, narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. They suit classic and rounded lamp bases and give a softer, more traditional look.
Using one of our Jarapa lamp bases as an example:
These Jarapa lamps are hand blown from recycled glass and are supplied without a shade. These are the sizes we recommend on each lamp's page:
- 29cm lamp (about 22cm wide): a 25/30cm drum shade, or a 30cm/35cm empire shade.
- 32cm tagine lamp (about 21cm wide): a 30cm/35cm drum shade, or a 35cm or 40cm empire shade.
- Largest 39cm lamp (about 33cm wide) 35cm drum or a 45cm base empire shade.
The taller 32cm lamps suit a larger shade, which is why the recommended sizes step up.
The shades we stock
Our lampshades include:
- Pleated block printed lampshades - made in Jaipur. Available in 15cm/25cm/35cm/40cm We'll be adding a 30cm and 45cm soon too!
- Handmade in Devon cotton drum shades in two sizes: 30cm wide by 21cm high, and 40cm wide by 25cm high.
Check the fitting and the bulb
- Look at the fitting on the shade's page. Most shades include a lampshade reducer ring so they work with older UK lamp fittings
- LED bulbs run cooler and use less power, so they are the best choice under a fabric shade.
Still not sure?
Send us your lamp's height and width at hello@rhool.com and we will suggest a size. You are also welcome to visit the shop in Kingsbridge and try shades on a lamp.